Bakeries get Easter-related boost

TUPELO – On the business side of Easter, clothing stores and grocery stores enjoy a pickup during the days leading up to the holiday.
And of course there’s the stuff needed to fill those Easter baskets.
According to the National Retail Federation, nine in 10 Americans will be buying Easter candy of some kind.
But for many Northeast Mississippians, Easter cookies and cupcakes are the preferred treat.
At Endville Bakery, owners Elizabeth and David Gable have been busy filling orders and taking care of walk-in customers.
“They love the cookies,” Elizabeth said, pointing to a selection of cookies shaped like rabbits, chicks, eggs and carrots, all decorated with colorful icing to reflect the holiday.
“The orders started last week, and they’ll keep coming through Friday,” she said. “And if we need to, we’ll be here on Saturday for any last-minute orders for Sunday.”
Americans will spend more than $145 this year on Easter for candy, decor, clothing and food, the NRF said. That’s about what they spent last year.
Budgetary concerns will keep spending flat compared to last year.
But apparently northeast Mississippi won’t hesitate buying cookies and cupcakes.
At Rosie’s Cookies, Cakes and Cream, orders also are coming in by the bundle.
The decorated egg-shape cookies are popular, as are cupcakes topped with a small egg in a nest.
“Since Monday, we’ve made 600 cookies,” said Holly McCoy. “By the end of the week, we’ll have made about 4,500 cupcakes.”
Sweet Treats Bakery owner Melinda Conerly is swamped as well, filling orders of Easter bunnies, crosses, eggs and cupcakes.
“Every year it seems to get bigger and bigger,” she said. “I think they like the cookies and cupcakes better than the candy.”
The NRF survey says Americans will spend roughly $21 on candy, including chocolate and jelly beans. Cookies and cupcakes don’t fall into that category however, a spokeswoman said.
Perhaps, said Shari Brown, they fall under the food category.
And according to the group, Americans will spend more than $45 on Easter food this year.
dennis.seid@journalinc.com